Method and apparatus for radiosignaling



June 8 1926. 1,587,880

R. A. WEAGANT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RADIOSIGNALING Filed Feb. 7, 1919 INVENTOR A; ATTO Y Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

N. Y., ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RADIOSIGNALING.

Application filed February 7, 1819. Serial No. 275,557.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for radio signaling and has for its object to prevent or reduce interference in radio reception, with particular reference to minimizing the effects of static disturbances.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 181,458, I have disclosed my discoveries in regard to the nature of static disturbances, which appear to be propagated substantially vertically, and in another of my co-pending applications, Serial No. 275,555, I have described and claimed an antenna which becomes unresponsive to the desired signal waves to which it is tuned, when adjusted to a position normal to the advancing wave front. Such an antenna, although unresponsive to signals, continues to receive static impulses and this function or attribute may be utilized in various ways, as disclosed in that application referred to.

I have also demonstrated, as disclosed in 3 my co-pending application Serial No. 275,-

554', that static impulses appear to be pos 2 sessed of comparatively short wave length, although I am unable as yet to make more definite statements in regard to the actual or probable wave length of static waves.

If the wave fronts of vertically propagated static waves were strictly horizontal, then a strictly vertical antenna in the form of an ordinary open wire for instance, should not pick up static, because the longitudinal axis of the wire would be normal to the advancing wave fronts. That such an antenna is afiected by static disturbances may be due to other causes, for instance the 7 transmission of static waves may not always be strictly vertical although I have never found anything leading conclusively to the view that it is not strictly vertical. I know that static occasionally comes at considerable angles with the vertical but this is not the usual variety. There are cases comparatively rare in my experience for instance, in which the predominent static is that due "to thunderstorms, and has a large horizontal component. a p0 In view of these considerations, I have devised a new antenna and a method of pperationby means of which static may be excluded and only signals received. My new antenna, in the est form known to me at present, consists of a linear oscillator and differs from the ordinary antenna heretofore used, in that it is not grounded, its longitudinal axis is capable of adjustment in vertical and horizontal planes so that it is either strictly vertical or is in line with the static waves to be avoided, that is, normal to the wave fronts of such static waves, and my antenna preferably has no capacity area at top or bottom, although whether some form of such capacity areas may be used or not I do not at present know and cannot state.

Such a linear oscillator antenna may be pointed directly at the static and if the direction of travel of the static waves is not too nearly horizontal, the static will be eliminated and the signal received.

The receiving circuits including the detector circuit should preferably be interposed substantially at the middle of the length of the antenna for the best results, and directly in line with the antenna, or as nearly as possible in line therewith, instead of being located in-a house off at one side as is customary, thereby avoiding as far as possible horizontally extending leads and connections.

The drawings illustrate a preferred form of apparatus for practising my new method of static elimination in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the apparatus, and

Figure 2 is a similar view at right angles to the other side or end of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a suitable frame or support adapted to be pivotally mounted for angular adjustment in vertical and horizontal planes. In this instance I have shown the frame A horizontally pivoted at B to a block G which is vertically pivoted at D on a post E of suflicient height to ermit swinging the frame A about the pivot B. The block C extends outwardly beyond the post E so that the frame A has freedom of angular movement about the vertical ivot D.

The antenna, preferab y in the form of a linear oscillator, comprises the wire F cart .ried by the frame A on suitable insulators G. Receiving circuits are interposed in the length of the antenna A substantially at the middle point and as far as possible directly in line with the antenna. As shown in this instance, variable coupling coils H are connected in the antenna and a variable tuning condenser J is interposed between the poles H. Variable tuning inductances K are connected in the circuit of the antenna and an suitable form of detector circuit L is coup ed to the coupling coils H by means of the variable coupling coil 0. The detector circuit L is shown diagrammatically for convenience of illustration and is assumed to be constructed with its circuits and connections extending as nearly in line as possible with the general direction of extent of the antenna F. The pivotally mounted frame A and the antenna F carried thereb may be of any desired and convenient lengt 1 suitable for receiving signals of the desired strength in the antenna. It may be found desirable forinstance to mount a receiving house for the receiving apparatus on an elevated platform P near t e top of the pole E. a

In the operation of the apparatus in radio reception, the angular relation of the antenna F is adjusted relatively to the wave front of static impulses until said antenna becomes substantially unresponsive to said impulses but receives signals. This is equivalent to adjusting the angular position of the antenna 'relat1vely to the directions of propagation of static impulses and signal waves until one effect goes out and the other remains. The antenna F may thus be positioned at an ineffective angle with respect to the wave fronts -of static impulses but at an effective angle with respect to the direction of propagation of desired signal waves, that is the antenna has no effective component with respect to the static waves to be avoided.

This arrangement is useful not alone for ai'oiding static interference but also for avoiding interference from signals coming from a diiferent direction. For example if it is desired-to receive from an aeroplane.

but to avoid the interference from another, as for example an enemy plane purposely interfering, it is only necessary to keep the antenna pointed at the interfering plane. The signals from the other plane can then be received unless the two planes are too close together. With present day amplifying apparatus comparatively short and hence readil movable antennae may be used.

I c aim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent the following: .1

1. The method of minimizin static interference in radio reception wit a directive antenna, such as a linear oscillator, 1an' un-- grounded antenna; cr'aaun'grounded linear oscillator, which consists in adjusting the dlrectivity of the antenna relatively to the horizontal plane until said antenna becomes substantially unresponsive to said impulses, and receiving signals in said antenna.

2. The method of minimizing static interference in radio reception, which consists in adjusting the angular relation of an antenna relatively to the horizontal lane until said antenna becomes substantial y unresponsive to said interference and receiving signals in said antenna.

3. The method of minimizin static interference in radio reception wit an antenna in the form of a hnear osclllator, which con sists inadjusting the antenna into a position substantia 1y at right an les to the wave front of static impulses, w ereby it becomes unresponsive to said impulses, and receiving signals in said antenna.

4. The method of minimizin static interference in radio reception, w ich consists in adjusting the an tenna relatively to t e horizontal plane until one efi'ect goes out and the other remains.

lar relation of an an--.

5. The method of minimizing static interference in radio reception which consists in adjusting the angular direction of an antenna with respect to the horizontal plane and relatively to the directions of propagatlon of static impulses and signal waves to a position in which a desired ratio of signal to static is obtained.

6. The method of minimizing static interference in radio rece tion with a directional antenna, which consists in adjusting the directivity of the antenna with respect to the horizontal plane and relatively to the direction of propagation of static waves to a position in which'the effect of static waves is eliminated and receiving the desired signals with the antenna adjusted to this position.

7. In radio signaling, the method of preventing interference, whichconsists in adjusting the angular direction of an antenna with respect 'to the horizontal plane and relatively to the wave fronts and directions of propagation of electro-magnetic waves arrivmg from two different directions until the efi'eots due to wavesfrom one dlrectlon are substantially eliminated and those from signal .waves and detecting said signalwaves'. 4

- 9. The method of static inter;

' ference in radio reception which consists in "whereby it may be rendered substantially unresponsive to waves from any given direction.

11. In a radio signaling system, a directional receiving antenna responsive to high frequency electro-radiant waves, comprising oppositely extending capacitive elements and having vertical and horizontal axes about which it is rotatable whereby it may be rendered substantially unresponsive to waves from any given direction.

12. In a radio receiving system, a directive antenna responsive to horizontally propagated high frequency electro-radiant waves and substantially unresponsive to waves from a certain direction relative thereto, said antenna comprising a linear oscillator and having two axes at right angles about which it is rotatable and whereby it may be positioned so that its unresponsive direction is inclined at an angle to the horizontal to eliminate waves from said direction, means for tuning said antenna to the horizontally propagated waves and receiving devices responsive thereto.

13. In a radio signaling system, a directional antenna responsive to high frequency clectro-radiant waves, said antenna comprising a linear oscillator having oppositely extending capacitive elements and an axis parallel to a line therebetween along which it is substantially unresponsive to waves, means for tuning the antenna toa desired wave, and a pair of axes about which the antennais rotatable, whereby it may be adjusted to be unresponsive to waves from any given direction. I

14. In a radio signaling system a longitudinally extending directional antenna, said antenna being unresponsive along its longitudial axis and tuned to a desired wave, and a pair of axes about which the antenna is'adjustable for positioning the longitudinal axis to any desired angular relation with respect to the horizontal plane whereby interference from a certain direction may be eliminated.

15. In a radio receiving system, a directive antenna substantially unresponsive to waves from a certain direction relative thereto, said antenna being positioned so as to be unresponsive to certain waves it is desired to eliminate and responsive to other waves Oi different azimuth, one of. said waves being horizontally propagated and the other propagated at an angle to the horizontal said antenna being adjustable with respect to the horizontal plane and relatively to the direction of propagation of static waves, means for tuning said antenna to the horizontally propagated waves and receiving devices associated with the antenna.

16. In a radio signaling system, the combination of an antenna for receiving horizontally propagated waves in the form of a directional linear oscillator mounted for angular movement with respect to its angle with the horizontal plane, and receiving devices located substantially midway of the len th of said antenna for receiving signals.

f7. In a radio signaling system, the combination of an antenna for receiving horizontally propagated waves in the form of a directional linear oscillator mounted for angular movement with respect to its angle with the horizontal plane, and receiving devices located substantially midway of the length of said antenna for receiving signals, said receiving devices being substantially in line with the direction of extent of said antenna.

18. In a radio signaling system, the combination of an ungrounded directional antenna for receiving horizontally propagated waves in the form of a linear oscillator mounted for angular movement with respect to its angle with the horizontal plane, and receiving devices located substantially midway of the length of said antenna for receiving signals.

19. In a radio signaling system, an antenna in the form of an ungrounded directional linear oscillator for receiving horizontally propagated waves mounted for angular movement in vertical and horizontal planes so that it may be pointed in the direction of propagation of static impulses and adjusted into a position normal to the wave front of said impulses, whereby the generation of currents in the antenna due to static impulses is avoided, and receiving devices located substantially midway of the length of said antenna for receiving signals from another direction,

20. In a radio signaling system, an an tenna in the form of a linear oscillator provided with a pair of axes about which it is rotatable affording provision for adjusting its azimuthal direction relatively to the wave fronts and directions of propagation of electro-magnetic waves arriving'from two different directions until the effects due to waves from one direction are eliminated and those due to waves from the other direction are retained.

21. In a radio signaling system, an antenna for receiving horizontally propagated signal waves in the form of a directional linear oscillator pointed in a direction at an angllle to the horizontal plane corresponding angle to the horizontal lane corresponding to wit the direction of travel of the static to the directlon of trave of the static waves waves to be avoided, and having receiving to be avoided and having receiving circuits circuits interposed in its length substantialinterposed substantially at the middle point 5 ly in line therewith. inits length. substantially in line therewith.

22. In a radio signaling system, an an- In testimony whereof I have signed this 15 tenna for receivin horizontally propagated specification. signal waves in tie form of a directional linear oscillator pointed in a direction at an ROY ALEXANDER WEAGAN T. 

